I just got back from Camp FI Rocky Mountain and it was a hell of a weekend. I am:
- Exhausted: Sleep, what’s that?
- Energized: I know that I just said I was exhausted. At the same time, I feel like a fire has been lit under my ass.
- Inspired: It’s impossible not to be when you’re surrounded by people with amazing dreams doing incredible things.
- Happy: New friends. Lots of them.
So, what the hell is Camp FI anyway? Now that is a difficult question…
Camp FI Rocky Mountain
Camp FIs retreats span 4 days/ 3 nights. Every one I’ve been to was located in a beautiful part of the world.
There are formal presentations and live podcast recordings:
But most of the time is spent just hanging out. Sometimes the mood is serious. Other times, not so much:
Some random things I heard over the weekend:
We came here to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary!
You’ve just been Dorito-bombed.
Self-directed solo-401(k)s are so damn sexy.
I can f***ing do hard things.
I have that as a tattoo!
I’ve reached FIREball!
I’m not painting a clear picture here. If you haven’t been to one of these events, you’re probably completely confused. Let me try again.
The Supreme Court once famously defined pornography as this:
You know it when you see it.
Similarly, if I had to tell someone what Camp FI is, I’d say:
You know it when you experience it.
Money is the starting point. After all, the event is called “Camp FI.” However, talking about index funds for more than 5 minutes would put everyone to sleep quickly. So, conversations quickly veer off into new directions like side hustles, food, travel, books, personal struggles, goals, fears, and dreams. It’s never boring.
And I believe everyone comes away with something a little different. Some will leave with a better understanding of their financial situation. Others will be inspired to start work on that big project they’ve been thinking about for years. Most will be happy that they’ve found their tribe. Is anything more important?
Thanks to everyone who attended for making Camp FI Rocky Mountain an awesome event. I’m already planning a reunion for August.
And if you couldn’t make it to this one, tickets are on sale now for Camp FI Rocky Mountain 2020. See you there?
Join the 10s who have signed up already!
Subscribing will improve your life in incredible ways*.
*Only if your life is pretty bad to begin with.
Mark Trautman says
July 9, 2019 at 11:01 amIt was great to meet many new friends this year at my first CampFI Rocky Mountain edition! My wife and I already have our tickets for next year’s event. See you all again soon.
Mr. 1500 Days says
July 9, 2019 at 8:57 pmAwesome! See you soon Mark!
Cathleen Cooks Stuff. says
July 9, 2019 at 3:06 pmSeems to be a great benefit for achieving FI: able to go to all these FI camps and chautaqua’s. It also helped it was pretty much in your backyard (who watched the kids if you and Mindy were there?). Someone needs to organize one for the Pacific in Hawaii so I can go. Not easy planning any travel in the next couple of years with an infant on the way and a 3 year old, or a husband.
Financially Fit Mom says
July 9, 2019 at 6:13 pmWell that looks an absolute blast! Glad to know nothing went too wrong!
Financially Fit Mom recently posted…Rent vs Buy, Move vs Stay, Options Overload
Eric says
July 13, 2019 at 8:09 pmGreat article. CampFI sounded like a solid get-together and any excuse for people to head to the Rocky Mountains sounds like a good time. I just finished listening to the Bigger Pockets Money podcast today and it was well done for something that sounded quite impromptu. The mini-interviews from the group of individuals was different than their usual.
Eric recently posted…8 Finance Blogs To Focus Your F.I.
Erin says
July 15, 2019 at 1:07 pmI’m glad you had a good time down here in the Springs! Really wish I could have gotten a ticket to CampFI (even being the Choose FI local facebook group admin didn’t swing me one!). It was amusing to see photos everyone posted. You were literally in the backyard of my childhood home! Our house backed to the Sisters’ property and Pike National Forest. 🙂 I’d love to meet up with you one of these days! Keep up the good work and I’ll meet you in person somewhere along the front range one of these days.
Mr. 1500 Days says
July 15, 2019 at 7:50 pmHey Erin! I”m not sure when we’ll be in the “Springs again, but you’re always welcome in Longmont! Come on up!
BTW, your childhood home was in a place of incredible beauty! I LOVED it there!
JRobi says
July 16, 2019 at 5:30 pmI LOVED the podcast, especially the WhyFI interviews. Great job!
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A Journey to FI says
July 20, 2019 at 10:21 pmCampFI was definitely an awesome experience. I signed up for next year but this time I’m bringing the wife along! It was great hanging out with you and the rest of the crowd. Juan
Forever Donor says
July 28, 2019 at 1:17 pmI’m so sad I missed this. I’m in Denver and hit up some of the socials in Boulder but this looks epic. Ok looking at the Eventbrite now. Thanks for sharing.
PS. Please say we don’t HAVE to drink fireball…
-Andrew
Forever Donor recently posted…Letter From The Founder
Mr. 1500 Days says
July 28, 2019 at 3:19 pmMaybe we’ll meet at the next one?
You don’t have to drink Fireball, but you do have to drink the FIREball…